SNAP Regulations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program implements section 612 of the amended Clean Air Act of 1990, which requires EPA to evaluate substitutes for the ozone-depleting substances to reduce overall risk to human health and the environment. Through these evaluations, SNAP generates lists of acceptable and unacceptable substitutes for each of the major industrial use sectors. The intended effect of the SNAP program is to promote a smooth transition
to safer alternatives.

In support of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, EPA is proposing to
change the listing status of certain high-global warming potential chemicals
that were previously listed as acceptable, based on information showing that
other substitutes are now available for the same uses that pose lower risk
overall to human health and climate. Specifically, EPA proposes to modify
the listings for certain hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) from acceptable to
unacceptable in various end-uses in the aerosols, refrigeration and air
conditioning, and foam blowing sectors. EPA also proposes use conditions
that would restrict the use of HFCs as aerosol propellants to those uses
where there are not substitutes available or potentially available that
reduce overall risk to human health and/or the environment. EPA is also
proposing to change the listing status from acceptable to unacceptable for
certain hydrochlorofluorocarbons being phased out of production under the
Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and the Clean
Air Act.

On September 19, 2014, EPA published a notice in the Federal Register to
extend the public comment period for the proposed rule by 14 days. The
public comment period will now end on October 20, 2014, rather than October
6, 2014, in order to provide additional time for public review and comment
on all of the information available, including the proposed rule and other
materials in the docket.

To review the public docket, visit
www.regulations.gov and search for
docket number EPA-HQ-OAR-2014-0198.

Consistent with President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, EPA is providing
additional options for refrigerants in the United States that offer better
climate protection without harming the ozone layer. EPA is listing certain
climate-friendly hydrocarbons (ethane, isobutane, and propane) and a
hydrocarbon blend (R-441A) as acceptable in stand-alone commercial and
household refrigerators and freezers, very low temperature refrigeration,
non-mechanical heat transfer, vending machines, and room air conditioning
units. EPA is also listing HFC-32 as acceptable in room air conditioning
units. HFC-32 has one-third the GWP of the conventional refrigerants
currently being used in room air conditioning units. Through this
rulemaking, EPA is also e xempting ethane, isobutane, propane, and R-441A
from the §608 venting prohibition for the specific applications listed
above.

The EPA Administrator, Gina McCarthy, signed the final rule on
2/27/2015, and the Agency is submitting it for publication in the
Federal Register (FR). While we have taken steps to ensure the accuracy
of this Internet version of the document, it is not the official
version. Please refer to the official version in a forthcoming FR
publication, which will appear on the Government Printing Office's FDSys
website (http://fdsys.gpo.gov/fdsys/search/home.action)
and on Regulations.gov (www.regulations.gov)
in Docket No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0748. Once the official version of this
document is published in the FR, this version will be removed from the
Internet and replaced with a link to the official version.

This rule lists C7 Fluoroketone as acceptable subject to narrowed use
limits as a halon substitute for the streaming end-use. in the fire
suppression and explosion protection sector.
PDF
Version (7 pp, 308 KB)
HTML Version
(7 p, 48 KB)

Withdrawal in Part of Direct Final Rule
Effective Date: December 14, 2012

This rule lists three halon substitutes in the fire suppression and
explosion protection sector. Powdered Aerosol F and G
are acceptable
subject to use conditions in total flooding. C7 Fluoroketone is acceptable
subject to narrowed use limits for the streaming end-use.

Additional information: DSPA generators produce combustion byproducts
(micron-sized dry particles and a gaseous mixture), that mix together into a
uniform fire-extinguishing aerosol before being released into the protected
area. The propellant components of the system generates inert gases, which
function to physically extinguish the fire by the combined effects of
straining the burning flame front and reducing the heat of the combustion
sources. The small aerosol particles have a high surface area­to-volume
ratio, which increases their ability to rapidly distribute throughout
enclosed areas and to act as heat sinks.

The June 3, 2003, rule proposed to list n-propyl bromide (nPB) as an acceptable substitute for ozone depleting substances (ODSs), subject to use conditions, in the solvent cleaning sector as well as aerosol solvents and adhesive uses. EPA initially proposed that the use of nPB is acceptable subject to a use condition, limiting contaminants of nPB formulations from isopropyl bromide.

EPA is issuing its decision on the acceptability of three halon substitutes in the fire suppression and explosion protection sector. HFC227BC found acceptable subject to use conditions in total flooding. C6-perfluoroketone and H Golden HFPEs found acceptable subject to narrowed use limits for the streaming end-use.

This action finds HCFC-141b unacceptable for use as a substitute for ODSs in all end uses in the foam blowing sector, except for specified exemptions, including use in space vehicles, nuclear energy, defense, and research and development for foreign customers.
Effective Date: August 21, 2002

This action lists acceptable and unacceptable substitutes for ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) in the foam-blowing sector. The final rule withdraws the proposed decision to list HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b as unacceptable substitutes for existing users; lists HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b as unacceptable substitutes for HCFC-141b in rigid polyurethane/ polyisocyanurate laminated boardstock, rigid polyurethane appliance foam, and rigid polyurethane spray foam applications; lists HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b as acceptable substitutes for HCFC-141b, with narrowed use limits (users must ascertain and document that other acceptable alternatives are not technically feasible) in commercial refrigeration and sandwich panel applications and in the rigid polyurethane slabstock and other foams end-use; and lists HCFC-124 as an unacceptable substitute in all foam end-uses. At this time, EPA is deferring final action on its proposed decision to list HCFC-141b as an unacceptable foam-blowing agent.

EPA is rescinding use conditions that limit human exposure to halocarbon and inert gas agents used in the fire suppression and explosion protection industry. These use conditions are redundant with safety standards established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). In addition, EPA is taking direct final action to change the listing for HBFC-22B1 from acceptable subject to use conditions to unacceptable.

Rule 8- Prohibition for the use of refrigerant blends containing hexafluoropropylene
Effective Date: January 26, 1999

This action lists two substitutes for halon B1301 and halon 1211, IG-100,and HCFC Blend E in the fire suppression and explosion protection sector as acceptable, subject to use restrictions. Substitute IG-100 is for the end-use of total flooding systems and HCFC Blend E is for the end-use of streaming agents.

Rule 5- Two gases found unacceptable as substitutes for refrigerants in "self-chilling cans"
Effective Date: April 2, 1999

This action clarifies the criteria for unique fittings used in motor vehicle air-conditioning systems, and addresses the acceptability of HFC-4310mee and HCFC-225ca/cb. The end-uses for these substitutes are in metal cleaning and solvent in aerosols. C3F8, HFC-236fa, and C4F10 are found acceptable with use conditions for halon 1301 in-fire suppression and explosion prevention. The unacceptability of substitutes in the refrigeration and air conditioning, solvents, aerosols, fire suppression, and adhesives, coatings, & inks sectors are also listed.

EPA issued its decisions on the acceptability HFC-4310mee, HCFC-141b, perfluoropolyethers, and perfluorocarbons. The end-uses of these substitutes are electronic and precision cleaning as well as aerosol solvents.

EPA is issuing its preliminary decisions on the acceptability of substitutes not previously reviewed by the Agency. Monochlorotoluenes/benzotrifluorides are acceptable subject to use conditions as substitutes for CFC-113 and MCF in electronics, precision, and metals cleaning. Blend Zeta and HCFC Blend Delta are acceptable as substitutes for CFC-12 in retrofitted and new motor vehicle air conditioners, subject to the use conditions applicable to motor vehicle air conditioning.

EPA issued decisions on refrigerants and solvent cleaning sectors found acceptable subject to use conditions. The refrigeration sector deals with end-uses both retrofit and new equipment. HCFC Blend Beta was found as acceptable subject to use conditions for motor vehicle air conditioning. Blend B was found acceptable subject to use conditions for; centrifugal chillers, chillers, industrial process refrigeration, skating rinks, storage warehouses, refrigerated transport, food refrigeration, ice machines, freezers, dehumidifiers, and air conditioners. HCFC-225 ca/cb is decided as a substitute for CFC-113 and MCF acceptable to use conditions in precision and metals cleaning. Various other substitutes were found unacceptable for refrigerants and air conditioning as well as in the solvents cleaning sector.

SNAP Notices of Acceptability

These notices expand the list of acceptable or pending substitutes for ozone depleting substances (ODSs) under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program. The substitutes listed below are acceptable without restriction in the specific end-uses unless designated as pending. A pending substitute can be sold after the 90 day review period has expired, but its acceptability may be affected by a subsequent rulemaking. To see substitutes that are restricted or prohibited, see the list of rules above.

Consistent with President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, EPA is increasing
the options for refrigerants, foam blowing agents, and fire suppressants
that offer better climate protection without harming the ozone layer. On
October 15, 2014, a Notice of Acceptability was signed expanding the
Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program’s list of acceptable
substitutes by adding a number of substitutes with lower global warming
potentials (GWPs) compared to what are predominately used today for the same
uses. This action also builds on the announcements made on September 16th
concerning new private sector commitments to reduce emissions of
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

The notice lists the following as acceptable:

trans-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-ene in non-mechanical heat
transfer, and in flexible polyurethane foams

CO2 in refrigerated transport

R-450A in a variety of refrigeration and air conditioning end-uses

Methylal in a variety of foam blowing end-uses

Hydrofluoroolefin (HFO)-1336mzz(Z) in a variety of foam blowing
end-uses

Powdered Aerosol D in the total flooding end-use

Note: The tables listing the substitutes for refrigeration and air
conditioning, foam blowing agents, and fire suppression and explosion
protection will be updated soon to include the end-uses and substitutes
listed in this action.

To review the
public docket for this notice, visit
www.regulations.gov and search
for docket number EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0118.

This notice expands the list of acceptable substitutes for end uses in
the refrigeration and air conditioning, foam blowing, solvent cleaning,
aerosol and fire suppression sectors. The determinations concern new
substitutes.

Erratum: In section B.1, the text incorrectly identifies HFC-365mfc
as 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane with Chemical Abstracts Service Registry
Number (CASRN) 138495-42-8. The correct name is
1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane and the correct CASRN is 406-58-6.

This notice expands the list of acceptable substitutes for end uses in
the refrigeration and air conditioning; foam blowing; solvent cleaning;
adhesives, coatings and inks; and fire suppression sectors. The determinations concern new
substitutes.

Notice 26:Effective Date: October 4, 2011

This notice expands the list of acceptable
substitutes for end uses in refrigeration and air conditioning, solvent
cleaning and fire suppression. The determinations concern new substitutes.

This notice lists acceptable substitutes for
HCFC-22, HCFC-142b, and blends thereof for end uses in
refrigeration and air conditioning, foam blowing,
aerosols, and sterilants. The determinations all
include substitutes previously listed as substitutes
for other ODS or as substitutes for HCFC-22 alone.

This notice expands the list of acceptable
substitutes for end uses in refrigeration and air
conditioning and foam blowing. The determinations
concern new substitutes. In addition, this document
informs the public that the refrigerant blend
previously found acceptable under the name KDD5 has
received the ASHRAE designation R-438A and has the
trade name ISCEON® MO99.

This notice expands the list of acceptable substitutes for end uses in refrigeration and air conditioning, foam blowing, cleaning solvents, aerosols, and sterilants. The determinations concern new substitutes.

This notice expands the list of acceptable substitutes for end uses in refrigeration and air conditioning, foam blowing, and fire suppression and explosion protection. The determinations concern new substitutes.

EPA has found acceptable additional substitutes for use in the following sectors: refrigeration and air conditioning, foam blowing, fire suppression and explosion protection, and sterilants. This document also clarifies the
status of the use of a hydrochlorofluorocarbon as an aerosol solvent, revises the global warming potential for a substitute previously listed as acceptable for use in fire suppression and explosion protection based on new information, and clarifies a statement from the previous SNAP notice of acceptability of August 21, 2003, regarding a refrigerant.

The EPA has approved acceptable substitutes for use in the following sectors: refrigeration and air conditioning, solvents cleaning, foam blowing, fire suppression and explosion protection, and aerosols.

EPA has decided acceptable for the solvent cleaning sector HFE-7000 as a substitute for CFC-113, methyl chloroform, and HCFC-141b in the end-uses of precision cleaning and electronics cleaning.

The foam blowing sector EPA decided acceptable Ecomate as a substitute for CFC and HCFCs, HCF-245fa as a substitute for HCFCs and blends of HFC-245fa and HCFC-22 as a substitute for blends of HCFC-141b and HCFC-22 in the following end-uses; rigid polyurethane and polyisocyanurate laminated boardstock, rigid polyurethane appliance foam, rigid polyurethane slabstock and other foams, rigid polyurethane commercial refrigeration and sandwich panels, polyurethane integral skin foam, phenolic insulation board and bunstock, and polyolefin.

EPA has decided for the fire suppression and explosion protection sectors NAF S-125 as an acceptable substitute for halon 1301 in the end-use of total flooding.

In the aerosol sector, HFE-7000 is an acceptable substitute for CFC-113, methyl chloroform, HCFC-141b in the end-use of aerosol solvents.

The ozone depleting substitutes are for use in the following sectors: refrigeration and air conditioning; aerosols; and adhesives, coatings, and inks. In addition, we are notifying the public of new information available on the toxicity of HCFC-225ca and HCFC-225cb, acceptable substitutes used in solvents cleaning.

EPA's decision for acceptable substitute uses in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector.

HFC-134a/HBr (98/8) as a substitute for CFC-12 and R-502, with the end uses of retail food refrigeration and cold storage warehouses for primary heat transfer fluid in new secondary-loop equipment for not-in-kind replacements of systems and the end-use of refrigerated transport.

HFC-134a/HBr (92/8) as an acceptable substitutes for CFC-11, CFC-12, CFC-114, CFC-115, and R-507 in the end-use of industrial process refrigeration.

This notice identifies EPA's decisions of acceptable substitutes for refrigeration, air conditioning, foams, non-aerosol solvent cleaning, and aerosol solvents. This action also requests information on the composition and safety of certain refrigerants for motor vehicle air conditioners. This notice also requests information on whether the SNAP program should include review of and establishment of use conditions for operations that involve manual cleaning with solvents or restriction of non-aerosol solvent substitutes to equipment that meets the cleaning equipment standards in the National Emission Standards for Halogenated Solvent Cleaning. Finally, this action updates readers on the SNAP program's review of n-propyl bromide for use as a substitute for ozone-depleting solvents used in the non-aerosol solvents cleaning, aerosol solvents and propellants, and adhesives, coatings and inks sectors.

Hydrofluoroether 7100 and Hydrofluoroether 7200 for CFC-11, CFC-12, CFC-114, CFC-115, HCFC-22, R-502, R-503, and R-13B1 in the refrigeration and air-conditioning end-uses of industrial process refrigeration, retail food refrigeration, and very low temperature refrigeration, as a secondary heat transfer fluid in new equipment for not-in-kind replacements of systems. Also, non-mechanical heat transfer for use in retrofit and new equipment.

Hydrofluoroether 7100 as an acceptable substitute for HCFC-141b and HCFC-22; Heptafluorocyclopentane as acceptable substitutes for CFC-113, methyl chloroform, and HCFC-141b; and HFC-365mfc as an acceptable substitute for CFC-113, methyl chloroform, and HCFC-141b in the non-aerosol solvent cleaning end-uses of all metals cleaning, precision cleaning, and electronics cleaning applications.

There are listing of substitutes for refrigeration and air conditioning as well as foam blowing.

The refrigeration and air conditioning acceptable substitutes are HFC-4310mee for CFCs and HCFCs, Ikon A and Ikon B for CFC-12, and HFC-245fa for CFC-11 (new only). These substitutes are for the following end uses: non-mechanical heat transfer, household refrigeration and freezers, commercial comfort air conditioning, cold storage warehouses, industrial process refrigerators and air conditioners, refrigerated transport, retail food refrigeration, vending machines, water coolers, commercial ice machines, and small auxiliary power units.

This notice deals with acceptable substitutes for refrigeration, air conditioning, and foam blowing. The end uses for refrigeration and air-conditioning are uranium isotope separation processing (retrofit), using furan as an acceptable substitute for CFC-114. All foam-blowing end uses are included, for saturated light hydrocarbons C3-C6 for HCFC-141b, except HCFC-141b replacement in spray foam applications.

The cryo-mechanical cryogenic transport system that uses recaptured and recycled liquid carbon dioxide or liquid nitrogen is acceptable as a substitute for R-502 or CFC-12 in the transport refrigeration end-use.

Hydrofluroether (HFE-7200) is an acceptable substitute for CFC-113 in non-mechanical heat transfer.

This notice includes substitutes for; adhesives, coatings, and ink sector, aerosols sector, solvents sector, foams sector, and refrigeration and air conditioning sector. Refrigeration and air conditioning end uses include all R-502 end uses in addition to non-mechanical heat transfer, very low temperature refrigeration, and motor vehicle air conditioners. All end uses are applicable for solvent cleaning, aerosol solvents, adhesives, coatings, and ink sector.

THR-04 is acceptable as a substitute for R-502 in all refrigeration and air conditioning end-uses.

HFC-236fa, when manufactured using any process that does not convert perfluoroisobutylene (PFIB) directly to HFC-236fa in a single step, is acceptable as a substitute for CFC-114 in non-mechanical heat transfer.

HFE-7100, Hydrofluoroether, is an acceptable substitute for CFC-113 in non-mechanical heat transfer.

HFC-23 is acceptable as a substitute for CFC-12 in very low-temperature refrigeration.

HFC-134a and HFC-152a are acceptable substitutes for HCFCs in all foam blowing end-uses.

Carbon dioxide and water are acceptable substitute for HCFCs in all foam blowing end-uses.

HFC-4310mee is acceptable as a substitute for HCFC-141b in all solvents cleaning and aerosol solvent end-uses.

Benzotrifluoride is an acceptable substitute with an exposure limit (AEL) of 100 ppm for all solvent cleaning, aerosols solvents, adhesives, coatings, and inks end-uses.

This notice contains substitutes for end uses in solvent cleaning, aerosols, foam blowing, and refrigeration and air conditioning. The end uses for foam blowing are CFCs, HCFCs, and polyurethane integral skin, with acceptable substitutions of formic acid and acetone. The end uses for aerosol solvents are CFC-11, CFC-113, MCF, and HCFC-141b, with an acceptable substitution of C5-C20 petroleum hydrocarbons. The solvent end uses include metal cleaning, electronic cleaning and precision cleaning with CFC-113. There are many refrigeration and air conditioning end-uses.

This notice contains substitutes for refrigeration and the foam sector. Substitutes include HFC-236fa and saturated light hydrocarbons C3-C6. The refrigeration sector end-use is CFC-114 industrial process refrigeration, with an acceptable substitute of HFC-236fa. The foam sector acceptable decisions are for the end-uses of HCFCs rigid polyurethane and polyisocyanurate laminated boardstock, HCFCs rigid polyurethane appliance, and saturated light hydrocarbons C3-C6. There are various acceptable substitutes for these end uses in the foam sector.

This notice expands the list of acceptable and pending substitutes and clarifies information on refrigerant blends R-410A, R-410B, and R-407C that EPA previously added to the acceptable substitute list. This notice lists acceptable substitutes in various and uses in refrigeration and air conditioning, foam blowing, fire suppression, explosion protection, solvent cleaning, aerosols, adhesives, coatings, and inks. There are also pending substitutes, n-propyl bromide and HFC-4310, listed in aerosols and solvent cleaning.

Hot Shot, GHG-X4, Freezone, Freeze 12, G2018C, NARM-502, and R-401C are acceptable substitutes for the refrigeration and air conditioning sectors.

R-507, ammonia, evaporative and desiccant cooling, and water/lithium bromide are acceptable substitutes for HCFC-22 in refrigeration and air conditioning end-uses.

This notice lists acceptable substitutes for the end-uses of refrigerants, fire suppression and explosion protection, foam blowing, and solvent cleaning.

HCFC Blend Beta was listed as containing HFC-134a, HCFC-124, and isobutane. In fact, according to the submission on file with EPA, this blend contains butane. The determination that this blend is acceptable subject to certain use conditions applied to the actual blend, not to the incorrectly listed one.

R-508, which contains HFC-23 and R-116, is acceptable as a substitute for CFC-13, R-13B1, and R-503 in retrofitted and new very low temperature refrigeration.

HCFC Blend Delta is acceptable as a substitute for CFC-12 in retrofitted household refrigerators and freezers.

HCFC Blend Lambda is acceptable as a substitute for R-500 in retrofitted centrifugal chillers and as a substitute for CFC-12 in the following new and retrofitted end-uses.

This notice lists acceptable substitutes for end-uses in refrigeration and air conditioning sector, as well as fire suppression and explosion protection sector.

Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxanes and decamethylcyclopentasiloxanes are acceptable as substitutes for CFC-11, CFC-12, CFC-113, CFC-114, and CFC-115 in new and retrofitted heat transfer systems in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector.

Water is acceptable as a substitute for CFC-11, CFC-12, CFC-113, CFC-114, and CFC-115 in new and retrofitted heat transfer systems.

Mineral oil is acceptable as a substitute for CFC- 11, CFC-12, CFC-113, CFC-114, and CFC-115 in new and retrofitted heat transfer systems.

R-508, which contains HFC-23 and R-116, is acceptable as a substitute for CFC-13, R-13B1, and R-503 in retrofitted and new industrial process refrigeration.

Ammonia absorption is acceptable as an alternative technology to household refrigerators and freezers using CFC-12 as a refrigerant.

Water Mist systems using potable water or natural seawater are acceptable as Halon 1301 and Halon 1211 substitutes.

This petition requested that EPA find HC-12a® acceptable and HFC-134a unacceptable. The Notice simply alerts the public to the petition and the response, and gives the location where people can find each document. The petition itself was not submitted to EPA electronically and is not available. However, the cover letter to EPA's response may be read online or the entire 30-page response may be downloaded in WordPerfect 5.1 format (120K). The formats below refer to the Notice, not the response itself.

This petition requested that EPA find HC-12a® acceptable. The Notice simply alerts the public to the petition and the response, and gives the location where people can find each document. The petition itself was not submitted to EPA electronically and is not available. However, the cover letter to EPA's response may be read online and the entire response is available (18 pp, 57 K). The formats below refer to the Notice, not the response itself.